PLAYER OF THE YEAR, Vivian Lara, Santa Fe, Senior, Guard

Vivian Lara, more than any other player in the Whittier area, gave her team an opportunity to win.

The Whittier Daily News All-Area Player of the Year led her team in nearly every significant category during the 2013-14 season, from points (19.6) to rebounds (7.4) and steals (3.5). But her value to the Chiefs went far beyond that when her experience and leadership and fierce competitive nature were factored in.

Every time Santa Fe needed a big game out of Lara, she delivered.

“Her value to us was tremendous,” former Santa Fe coach Matt Zamora said. “When Vivian played well, we knew we had a chance to win.”

Lara, who stands just 5-feet-5 and faced constant double teams, scored in double digits in 24 of the Chiefs’ 25 games and had 20 or more points 13 times. She had 27 points in their CIF-SS Division 1A playoff loss to University and averaged 21.9 points in Del Rio League play, where she was an easy first-team selection. In a pair of thrilling games against Whittier, Lara scored 30 points in a 49-47 victory and 31 points in a 53-52 loss at the buzzer.

With her quick first step and excellent ball-handling, Lara was adept at getting to the basket and drawing defenders, which then allowed her to find open teammates. She averaged 1.6 assists as well, which was second on the team.

“She stretched defenses, attacked defenses,” Zamora said, “and opened everything up for us. She did a little bit of everything.”

Lara has received recruiting interest from several community colleges, including top programs at Cerritos and Cypress, and is weighing her options. Zamora is certain she can succeed wherever she goes.

Advertisement

“What she did at the high school level,” he said, “she can easily do that at the next level.”

COACH OF THE YEAR: Omar Villalta, Cantwell-Sacred Heart

The Whittier-area girls basketball team that went the farthest in the CIF-SS playoffs didn’t even have its best player on the court for much of the season.

Cantwell-Sacred Heart was without senior wing Sylvia Garcia for most of its Camino Real League schedule and all of the playoffs, a tough spot for a team filled with underclassmen. But Whittier Daily News Coach of the Year Omar Villalta found a way to mix and match the remaining parts and put together a winner. The Cardinals shared second place in league, then got on a real roll in the Division 4A playoffs. They won three times and reached the semifinals, where the season was brought to a close by No. 1 Brentwood.

FIRST TEAM

Megan Chancellor, La Habra, Senior, Forward

Chancellor was a steady veteran who provided a calming influence on the Highlanders as they placed second in the Freeway League. She averaged 8.9 points and 5.6 rebounds and recorded three double-double games during league. Chancellor was recognized as an All-Freeway League first teamer.

Ashley Flores, Cal, Senior, Center

Flores patrolled the lane for the Condors and was a frequent target of Vivian Martinez’s interior passes. Flores averaged 7.6 points, but her influence was felt most on defense, where she averaged 12.5 rebounds, 2.0 steals and 1.7 blocks. She was an All-Del Rio League first-teamer.

Verenice Gomez, Whittier, Senior, Forward

Gomez seemed to come up with clutch plays for the Cardinals on both ends of the floor. She made 52 3-point shots to lead the team by a wide margin and was a tough defender who averaged 3.2 steals and 2.6 blocks. Gomez was selected to the All-Del Rio League first team.

Sarah Gurrola, El Rancho, Junior, Guard

Gurrola accomplished the rare feat of leading her team in scoring (13.4) and assists (6.5) and was a crucial part of the Dons’ run to a share of the Del Rio League title. She rarely left the court, playing about 27 minutes per game, and averaged 3.1 steals. Gurrola was honored as the league’s most valuable player.

Sydney Lopez, Whittier Christian, Senior, Center

Lopez, at 5-10, brought a polished low-post game and was the Heralds’ most consistent offensive threat. She scored in double figures in all but two games and averaged 15.3 points. Lopez was selected Olympic League Offensive MVP and was an All-CIF first-team selection as well.

Justine Manjarrez, Cantwell-Sacred Heart, Junior, Guard

Manjarrez stepped in for the Cardinals after senior Sylvia Garcia was lost to injury and provided a real offensive spark. She became the team’s most consistent scorer and best threat from the 3-point line. Manjarrez averaged more than 13 points per game and was an All-Camino Real League first-teamer.

Tiffani Martinez, Montebello, Senior, Guard

Martinez became the Oilers’ go-to scorer and helped lead them to a share of third place in the Almont League. Despite a 5-foot-3 frame, Martinez challenged bigger players and often either a basket or drew a foul. Martinez averaged 16.7 points and was an All-Almont League first-team selection.

Vivian Martinez, Cal, Senior, Guard

Martinez was the engine for the Condors and constantly looked for open teammates or guarded the opposition’s best perimeter player. With Martinez running the show, Cal shared the Del Rio League title and won nine of its last 11 games. She averaged 14.8 points, 2.5 assists and 2.4 steals and was an All-Del Rio League first-teamer.

Ashley Miller, El Rancho, Junior, Guard

Miller’s strength on the court came at the defensive end, where she usually drew the responsibility of guarding the opponent’s best perimeter scorer. But she’s also a skilled 3-point shooter and led the Dons with 59. Miller averaged 8.6 points and 2.6 steals and made the All-Del Rio League first team.

Clarissa Perez, St. Paul, Junior, Guard

Perez battled through injuries — both her own and to teammates — to lead the Swordsmen to the Camino Real League championship. With the offense running through her, St. Paul had an impressive 22-8 record and took a five-game winning streak into the playoffs. Perez averaged more than 13 points per game and was an All-Camino Real League first-team selection.